Overview

SSE allows servers to push data to web pages over HTTP. It is a standard way to stream data from a server to a client, designed for scenarios where the client only needs to receive updates, not send them back over the same connection.

Key Features

  • Unidirectional: Data flows only from server to client.
  • Automatic Reconnection: Browsers automatically try to reconnect if the connection is lost.
  • Standard HTTP: Works over standard HTTP/HTTPS, making it easier to pass through firewalls.
  • Text-Based: Primarily designed for sending text data (often JSON).

Use Cases

  • Live news feeds.
  • Social media notifications.
  • Real-time dashboards where the client doesn't need to send data back.

Related Terms